What is Greek, and how does the drill work?
The Greek alphabet has just 24 letters, and you half-know them already — from math class (π, θ, Σ), physics (Δ, λ, Ω) and fraternity names. The traps are the lookalikes: η looks like n but is a vowel, ν IS the n, ρ looks like p but is r, and χ looks like x but is a kh sound. Modern pronunciation holds one more surprise: η, ι and υ all sound the same today (ee), which is why this drill asks for letter names rather than sounds.
Start on the Chart tab and tick the letter groups you want to practice — familiar shapes first, then the lookalike traps, then the genuinely new letters, with the modern sound of each letter shown as a hint. Switch to Practice: a letter appears, you type its name — alpha, beta, omega — and the drill advances the moment you get it right. Miss one and you see the answer immediately; it comes back a few cards later until it sticks.
Tick the groups you want to practice, then switch to Practice.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the drill ask for letter names instead of sounds?
Because of iotacism: in Modern Greek, η, ι and υ (and the combinations ει and οι) have all merged into the same ee sound, and ω sounds identical to ο. Drilling sounds would make a fifth of the alphabet one answer. The names — alpha through omega — are unique, half-known to English speakers already, and are how Greeks themselves refer to the letters. Each letter’s modern sound is shown as a hint in the chart and after a miss.
Ancient or Modern Greek pronunciation?
Modern. The hints give today’s sound values: β is v (not b), δ is th as in "this", η is ee. If you are learning Koine or Classical Greek for reading, the letter names — which are what the drill tests — are the same, so the drill works either way; only the sound hints differ from reconstructed ancient pronunciation.
What is ς, the second sigma?
Sigma is the one Greek letter with a special word-final form: σ everywhere in a word, ς at the end (γλώσσα vs λόγος). It has its own card in a final-form group; both sigma and final sigma are accepted for it.
Does the drill save my progress?
Your letter-group selection is saved in your browser (no account needed), so the drill opens where you left off. The session stats — seen, correct, accuracy, streak — deliberately reset each visit: the drill is about instant recall today, not long-term statistics.